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^tktf 50 €tnt0 €ati 



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THE AMAZONS *^*^ ^ ^'■®® ^^*®' ^®^®° °^®^' ^'® f e^aies. 
Ooetmnes, modem ; scenery, not difficult. Playa 
a f oH evening. 

THE CABINET MINISTER ^arceinrourActs. Tenma3es,mne 
females. Ck>stumes, modem society ;: 
scenery; three Interiors. Plays *a full evening. 

DANBY BICK ■^"'®® ^ ^^^®® ^^^^' ^®^®" males, tour temaios. 
Costumes, modem j scenery^ two interiors. Plays 
two hours and a halt 

THE GAT L9RB ODEX ^"^•dy in Four Acts. Four males ten 
^ females. Costumes, modern ; scei>ery. 

two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. 

HIS HOUSE IN ORBER ^<^°^®<ly*^Fo^^c*8. Nine males, fom 
females. Costiuues, modern ; scenery^ 
three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THE HOBBT HORSE ^**™®^y ^ '^^^ '^<'*»- t®° ^^^^^* ^^^ 

females. Costumes, modern; scenery easy. 
Plays two hoiirs and a half. 

IRIS ■^*°^* ^ ^^"^^ ■^^*^- Seven males, seven females. Costumes, 
modem ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

LABT NUNTMIL ^^^ ^ ^^^ ^*'^' ^^^^^ ™^^®^' ^®^®° ^®- 

males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, four in- 
teriors, not easy- Plays a full evening. 

LETTT -^'^*™* *^ ^™^ ^cts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five fe- 
males. Costumes, modem; scenery compUcated. Plays a 
full eveningc 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Waltn ^. ismv & Company 

Ko. s Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



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THE ALARM 



A Vaudeville Sketch in One Act 



By 
MARION ROGER FAWCETT 

Juthor of "-"-Mor'd Alice^Utc. 



NOTE 

This play may be performed by amateurs free of royalty and with- 
out express permission. The professional stage-rights are, however, 
strictly reserved, and performance by professional actors, given in ad- 
vertised places of amusement and for profit, is forbidden. Persons 
who may wish to produce this play publicly and professionally should 
apply to Miss Windsor, No. 507 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
1912 



THE ALARM 



rs43r 
1 



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CHARACTERS 

Edward Ramsden, a shopkeeper, 

(doubled with) 
Robert, his so?i. 
A Police Sergeant. 

(doubled with) 
A Burglar. 

Scene. — Ramsden's shop. Time. — Eleven p. m. 
Plays fifteen minutes. 




Copyright, 191 2, by Marion Roger Fawcett 

As author and proprietor 

All rights reserved 

TAKE NOTICE 

The acting rights of this play are owned and reserved by the author. 
Performance is strictly forbidden unless her consent, or that of her agent, 
has first been obtained, and attention is called to the penalties provided 
by law for any infringements of her rights, as follows : 

" Sec. 4966 : — Any person publicly p'-.rforming or representing any dramatic or 
musical composition for which copyright has been obtained, without the consent of the 
proprietor of said dramatic or musical composition, or his heirs and assigns, shall be 
liable for damages therefor, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not 
less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent per- 
formance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and 
representation be wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a mis- 
demeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year."— 
U. S. Rbvised Statutbs, Title 60, Chap. 3. 



TMP96-0C7316 



^C!.D 28693 




The Alarm 



SCENE. — The interior of a small grocer' s shop ; bacJz-cloih 
showing inside of windoiu. Limes at back to give effect of 
light from street la?np. Cases, barrels, etc., arranged about 
floor and counter. Advertisement signs on walls. Counter 
across stage. Small safe down stage L. Doors k. a/id i.. 
On door r. an iron burglar alarm is attached. A poiverful 
gong or bell is worked off in connection with this, giving 
sound of loud alarm. 

(As curtain riseSj Edward Ramsden is discovered kneel- 
ing before door r., hammering at same. He is a man 
about sixty five, white-haired and cheerful looking; he 
wears a grocer' s apron over his clothes, atid whistles in 
quavering voice as he ivorks.) 

Voice {off). Edward ! Edward ! 

Rams, {rising stiffly^. Coming, my dear — coming. I've 
nearly got it fixed. If any biirgular tries to get in here to-night, 
he — will {Loud knock at door r.) Come in ! 

{He draws back behind door chickling to himself. Door r. 
opens quickly from outside. The alarm rings violently. 
Police Sergeant, with lantern in hand, stands in door- 
way. Alarm continues to ivhirr until Rams, stops it.) 

Ser. Good Lord ! Mr. Ramsden — what's wrong? 

Rams. Got a shock, Sergeant, eh ? That's my new 
burgular alarm. My son sent it down to me yesterday, so 
I've just fixed it in place. Kicks up the devil's own row, 
don't it ? 

Ser. I thought the day of judgment had arrived ! 

Rams. Yes! I don't think a burgular can make a haul 
here now. I asked the lad to send me something noisy, and 
he's done it. Made it himself, too ! 

3 



4 THE ALARM 

Ser. Funny you should be fixing that. I just knocked to 
give you warning to make things safe. There's been so many 
robberies lately 1 should lock up everything if I were you, sir. 

Rams. Not much need to with this, Sergeant. The lad's 
made it strong ; he's got a genius for machinery, that boy. 

Ser. You've a right to be proud of him, sir — he's got 
clever fingers. 

Rams. Aye ! and brain, too, Sergeant — brain, too ; takes 
after his father there. 

Voice (<?/■). Edward! Edward! 

Rams. It's startled the old lady. When a woman's bed- 
ridden she's sort of fearsome at nights. {Goes to door l., 
calluig off.) It's all right, mother I We was only trying the 
alarm. Go to sleep, lass. I'm going to have a smoke. Sit 
ye down, man — sit ye down ! 

Ser. Thank you, Mr. Ramsden, but I must be off on my 
rounds. Knox is down with bronchitis, so I must keep a look- 
out myself. There's been so many robberies lately. 

Rams. Aye, you're right there ! I'm main thankful my 
boy has sent me the alarm. I've got eighty pounds in the 
safe there. 

^-EK. {starting to his feet). Hush I What's that? 

Rams. ^ What's wrong ? 

Ser. I thought I heard Will that confounded thing 

ring if I open the door ? 

Rams. Not if you press the spring so. {Presses alarm.) 
Now then, open ! 

{They fling door open. Ser. flashes lantern.) 

Ser. There's no one about, but I could have sworn I 
heard something. Better lock your doors to-night, sir. 
Alarms don't always work. 

Rams. Ah ! There's no fear of this one, Sergeant. My 
boy says that no living soul can get past this one unless they 
know the trick. 

Ser. The trick ? 

Rams. Yes ! If any one knew how to hold this spring so 
{holding spring), it would make no noise ; but then no one 
knows the trick 'cept my boy an' me. Not another soul 'cept 
me an' my boy. 

Ser. I'm glad you're so safe, Mr. Ramsden. You're 
lucky to have a clever son. Good-night to you, sir. {^Exit. 



THE ALARM 5 

Rams. Good- night, Sergeant. {Looks proudly at alarm.) 
I'd like to set it oif again, damned if I wouldn't, only it might 
scare the missus. 

Voice {of). Edward ! Edward ! 

Rams. Corain', lass — comin'. (Locks door and turns out 
light.) Lord ! it's tired I am ! Bed 'ill be main welcome to- 
night, I'm thinkin* — main welcome. [Exit door l. 

{There is a second's pause. Lights all out on stage. Then 
metallic sound of drill at door r. is heard. There is a 
slight grinding noise^ then a man^s hand appears around 
side of door, pressing alarm. Light from lantern is 
gashed round room. Robert enters. He carries hand 
electric lamp which he flashes occasiofially and then 
darkens.) 

Confederate [off; in whisper). All right? 

Rob. Yes ! Keep a lookout. 

Con. {off). All serene ! He's out of sight ! 

Rob. Sssh ! — {He goes to safe, picks lock and opens ; 

takes out notes y counting.) Twenty — thirty-five — sixty 

Wonder if there's anything in the till — seventy 

Con. {off). Douse the shiner, Bob ! 

Rob. Lie low ! {He puts out light.) 

Con. It's all right now. Better hurry. Got the swag ? 

Rob. Yes ! More than I expected. You clear to the 
station first — see. There's a train eleven fifty. Wait for me 
there. 

Con. Right oh ! I've got the tools. 

Rob. Then clear — I'm coming ! 

Con. I'll wait till Look out, Bob ! Keep back ! 

Rob. Take care ! Don't move — the aUrm. 

Con. Get back, Bob. Police — 

Rob. Mind ! Keep still, you fool. My God ! (Con. 
pushes against door. Alarm rings violently.) Damnation ! 
Run like blazes ! Make for the station. 

Rams, {callitig off). Who's there? Help! Police! 

{There is 'a quick scuffle at door R. Ser. holds up lantern , 
which is knocked from his hand.) 

Ser.' Strike a light, Mr. Ramsden — quick! They've 
smashed my lantern. {He blows whistle.) 



6 THE ALARM 

Rams. Where are you? {Strikes light.') Have they 
escaped ? 

Ser. I'm afraid so, sir. Your alarm just saved you. 

Rams. Saved me ! Good God, man, the money's gone ! 

Ser. Gone ! 

Rams. The safe's cleaned out. 

Ser. We'll get them, sir ; they can't have gone far. 

{Whistles.) 

Rams. They'll make for the station—there's a train 
at 

Ser. All right, sir, leave it to us ! 

S^Exitj R. ; whistle off. 

Voice {calling off). Edward ! Edward ! 

Rams. I'm comin', lass Eighty pounds ! It's a lot to 

lose. Aye, a big loss, and to-niglit of all nights with the 
alarm set and all — what's that? They've dropped summat. 
{Picks up pocketbook.) A pocketbook. The scoundrels ! 
Mayhap this 'ill serve as a cue. Why ! it's Bob's ! — the 
pocketbook his mother gave him at Christmas. How did it 
come here ? He couldn't 'a' left it in the safe an' me not seen 
it. His letters in it, too. [Reads letter.) ''Dear Bob: — 
I'll meet you to-night as arranged. You had better deal with 

the alarm, as no one knows the trick except yourself " 

{Repeats words.) No one knows the trick except your- 
self My God! — It's not true! — I'm going mad 

No one knows the trick except It's not true, I say — it's 

not true ! Robert, my son — my own lad 

Ser. {at door r.). We've searched everywhere, sir. Not 
a sign of them. I'll go to the station myself now and 

Rams. Sergeant, I've been thinkin*. You haven't searched 
here. 

Ser. The shop ? Nonsense, sir. They wouldn't 

Rams. You haven't looked, man — search and see. 

Ser. I'll put Harris on, if you like, sir, but- the station's 
important. 

Rams, {wildly). No, search yourself, Sergeant. Don't 
leave me here alone — don't. 

Ser. God bless me, sir. You're not afraid ? 

Rams. I'm an old man, Sergeant. I'm a — a coward, too. 
Search the house, Sergeant — search the house. 

Ser. But the station, sir. We are losing time. 



THE ALARM 7 

Rams. No ! We have time for all. Search here first, I 
tell you ! 

Ser. It's impossible, sir. But I'll look if you like. 

[^£xit, door L. 

Rams. Search well, Sergeant— search well. {Repeats in 
dull voice. ^ No one knows the trick except 

Ser. {e?itering L.). There's no one there, sir Dam- 
nation! Listen! The train. We're too late! (Train 
whistle heard off.) They've got away ! 

Rams. Yes ! They've got away ! 

Ser. If you hadn't kept me, sir, we might have caught 
them. I'll wire to have the train watched. 

Rams. No ! No ! I mean it's no use now, Sergeant ; the 
money's gone ! 

Ser. I'll wire anyway, sir— though I'm afraid it's hopeless. 
They must have known the trick of your alarm, sir. 

Rams. Yes ! They knew the trick of the alarm ! 

Ser. I'll let you know, sir, if I've any news. Good-night 
to you, sir. [^x//, R. 

Rams. He's got away ! I gave him time to catch the 
train. Perhaps I'm wrong— but the book— the letter— then 
the alarm. {Picks up book.) I mustn't let his mother see 

that— his mother She was always that proud of his clever 

fingers. Oh ! God forgive you— my boy— my boy 

{He leans on counter burying his head in his arms. Clock 
strikes twelve off.) 



CURTAIN 



New Entertainments 



OUR CHURCH FAIR 
A Farcical Entertainment in Two Acts 

By Jessie A. Kelley 
Twelve females. Costumes modern ; scenery unimportant. Plays at. 
aour and a quarter. A humorous picture of the planning of the annual 
church fair by the ladies of the sewing circle. Full of local hits and 
general human nature, and a sure laugh-producer in any community 
Can be recommended. 

Price i 2J cents 

CHARACTERS 

Mrs. Roberts, who wants to be Mrs. Lav^soij, p/ump, 

presidii.'J. Mrs. Brown, anxious to get new 

Mrs. Henry, young, giddy, church attendants, 

fond of novels. Mrs. Addison, very inquisitive, 

Mrs. Jackson, the president of Mrs. Ridgely, sensitive, 

the society. Mrs. Otis, on the dinner com- 

Mrs. Brett, on the dinner com- mittee. 

mittee, Mrs. Thompson , decidedly c/cse. 

Mrs. Lewis, the minister's wife, Mrs. Drew, just married, 

THE RIVAL CHOIRS 

An Entertainment in One Scene 

By Sherman F, Johnson 
Seven males, four females. Costumes eccentric ; scenery unimportant. 
Plays one hour. A novelty in musical entertainments, introducing the 
old choir and the new in competition. A novel setting for a concert, 
offering an interesting contrast between the old music and the new. Lots 
of incidental fun, character and human nature. Sure to please. Origi- 
\ially produced in Meriden, Conn. 

Price, 2$ cents 

A THIEF IN THE HOUSE 

A Comedy in One Act 
By R, M. Robinson 
Six males, one playing a female character (colored). Costumes modern 
scenery, an interior. Plays forty-five minutes. A first-class play for mak 
characters only, of strong dramatic interest with plenty of comedy. A play 
that can be recommended, in spite of its lack of female characters, to any 
ludience. 

Price ^ 2S cents 



New Plays and Entertainments 

MISS FEARLESS &: CO. 
A Comedy in Three Acts 

By Belle Marshall Locke 
Ten females. Scenery, two interiors ; costumes modern. Plays a full 
evening. A bright and interesting play full of action and incident. Can be 
strongly recommended. All the parts are good. Sarah Jane Lovejoy, Katie 
O'Connor and Euphemia Addison are admirable character parts, and Miss 
Alias and Miss Alibi, the " silent sisters," offer a side-splitting novelty. 
Friccy 2^ cents 

MRS. BRIGGS OF THE POULTRY YARD 

A Comedy in Three Acts 

By Evelyn Gray Whiting 
Four males, seven females. Scene, an interior; costumes modern. A 
domestic comedy looking steadfastly at the " bright side " of human 
affairs. Mrs. Briggs is an admirable part, full of original humor and 
quaint sayings, and all the characters are full of opportunity. Simply but 
effectively constructed, and written with great humor. Plays two hours. 
Price J 2^ cents 

SCENES IN THE UNION DEPOT 

A Humorous Entertainment in One Scene 

By Laura M, Parsons 

Twenty-four males, eighteen females and eight children, but can be 

played by less if desired. Scenery unimportant ; costumes modern. Full 

of humorous points and chances to introduce local hits. Plays from au 

hour up, according to specialties introduced. 

PricCy 2^ cents 

A MODERN SEWING SOCIETY 

An Entertainment in One Scene 

By O. PF. Gleason 
Fourteen females. Costumes modern ; no scenery required. May be 
easily presented on a bare platform. Plays forty-five minutes. A hu« 
morous picture of this much-abused institution, briskly and vivaciously 
written and full of " points." Its characters offer a wide variety of op" 
pmtumty for local hits and satire of local characters and institulioas. 
Price^ i^ cetits 



New Plays 



PLAIN PEOPLE 

A Comedy Drama in Four Acts 
By Dana J. Stevens 
Five males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, tvv^o interiors. 
Plays a full evening. A strong and human piece full of humorous char- 
acter drawing and sympathetic interest. The cast is very even in oppor- 
tunity, and all the parts are good. A great play for a good club, and a 
sure winner. Strongly recommended. Free for amateur performance. 
Fric£, 2^ cents 

CHARACTERS 
Ezra Bromley, storekeeper. 
Almira Bromley, housewife. 
Martin Jasper Bromley, college man, 
Liza Liz Hankins, brat. 
Judge Jotham Marley, Christian, 
Melissy Watkins, elderly maiden, 
Jonas ]p^K^ocYi, farmer. 
Belindy Jarrock, seamstress, 
Hiram Curtis Peck, seller, 
April Blossom, help. 

SYNOPSIS 
Act L — Sitting-room behind Ezra Bromley's store. Morning. 
Act IL — The same. Some days later. 
Act in. — At the Jarrocks'. Some weeks later. 
Act IV. — At the Bromley s*. Later in the evening, 

FOOLING FATHER 

A Comedy in One Act 
By R. M, Robinson 
Three males. Costumes, modern ; scene, an interior. Plays thirty 
minutes. A clever little play easily done and very effective. The boys 
arrange a little burglary just to show the old gentleman what heroes they 
are, but somehow things do not turn out right for the hero part. Can be 
recommended. Price, is cents 

AT THE JUNCTION 

A Farce in One Act 

By Charles S. Bird. 
Three males, two females. Costumes, modern ; scene, an easy interior. 
Plays thirty minutes. A bright and vivacious little farce for two young 
couples and a comic station agent, very easy and effective. All the parts 
are first rate, and that cf the station agent is a corker. Can be strongly 
recommended. Price, /j cents 



THP PPfiFIIfiATP Pl»y to Four Acts deven males, five females, 
lUC rnuriilUAlL, g^enery, three interiora, rather elaborate ; 



THE SCHOOLMISTRESS i'^:,Ts:^::^z'^^^T:^::::^, 



91. W. ^tnero's ilUlpfi 

THP MAfiKTOATP Farce Ii» Three Aotg. Twelve males, four 
IHC iTlAUlJiI\Ail* fe^jales. Costumes, modern; scenery, all 
Interior. Plays two hours and a half. 

THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITP ^^'ZJ^J:^^. 

Costumes, modern ; scenery, all interiors Plr ys a lull evening. 

THE PROFUfiATE IX!^^^ 

costumes, modem. Plays a full evening. 

THE SCHOOLMISTRESS ^^^^ 

three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THE SECOND MRS. TANQDERAY ^^.^nemlt. T^ 

tumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

CWFFT T A YFNnFB Comedy in Three Acts. Seven males, four 
^WCCl I^AfGllULA fgj^ales. Scene, a single interior; costumes, 
modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF TIMFS Comedy In Pour Acts. Six males, seven females. 
lUC iliUCJ Scene, a single interior; costumes, modem. Plays a 
full evening. 

THP WFA¥FD WY Comedy in Three Acts. Sight males, eight 
lUD nCAIVCn JCA fg^jj^ies Costumes, modem; scenery, two 

Interiors. Plays a full evening. 

A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE ^C,^.^.j:,7, 

modem ; seene, a single interior. Flays ft fall ereuing. 

I „ 

ft price by 

One copy del. to Cat. Div. C^Wlf aiTt 

I9 Massaehnsetts 



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FEB 15 IDIJ 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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016 215 204 A 



C|)e 3§^illtam 5^arren Ctittton 
of Paps 



AS YOU T WV IT Comedy in Fire Acts. Thirteen males, four 
AJ IvU J^In.!^ 11 females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, va- 
ried. Plays a full evening. 

CAMIITF I^rama in Five Acts. Nine males, live females. Cos- 
S^AiniLtULi tumes, modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. 

INHOMAff I*l*y ^^ Fire Acts. Thirteen males, three females. 
/inUvlTlAIV Scenery varied ; costumes, Greek. Plays a full evening. 

MARY S Til APT Tragedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
,lUiil\i OllJAlli niales, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the 
.period j scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE glttlifefur^. cZZ^f. 

iplpturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. 

Rf CHFI IFII ^•'^y ^° -^^^ Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Scen- 
•■■\lVlH<t<llvlJ ery elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays a full 
evening. 

THF RIVAI S Comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 
1 till HI T AL4O Scenery varied ; costumes of the period. Plays a 
full evening. 

bllC MUUrb lU CUW^JIeK ma^es, four females.^ Scenery va- 
ried ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. 

TWELFTH NIfiBT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL a^'A^J^', 

three females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a 
full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttv !^. TBafeer & Compani? 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 

• . Jo PAHKHILL & CO., PRINTERS. BOSTON. U.S.A. 



